Heron: A sound with long legs, that goes stalking along and before you know it goes off, startling everybody around. (Heron is an onomatopoeic name for a long windpipe that makes a noise like an old tree breaking in two. It also imitates a stump and goes out stalking fish and frogs and mice.)
Asotin Creek, Washington
This heron’s ancestors fished for eels here, just 20 metres from the Snake River.
The Green Earth Dictionary 
Interesting etymological connection. I’ve done the same on my blog about ‘nightingale’.
I like your nightingale. I’ve never considered the name in that way, but I lot eit. Over this way, we have to settle for herons’ throaty squawks! Now, if blackbirds had been named after their amazing songs, well, we’d have some competition for your champion bird!